A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is postpartum and is taking docusate sodium to prevent constipation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason:

Experiences separation anxiety - This is a common behavior seen in toddlers during hospitalization. Being away from their parents or caregivers and being in an unfamiliar environment can lead to feelings of anxiety and distress. Separation anxiety is a natural response for young children who rely on their primary caregivers for comfort and security.

Choice B reason:

Fears a loss of control - Toddlers may feel overwhelmed and fearful when they find themselves in a hospital setting. The loss of control over their daily routines and environment can be frightening for them. They may be unable to understand the reasons behind medical procedures or interventions, further increasing their anxiety.

Choice C reason:

Feels hospitalization is punishment - While some children might have difficulty understanding the reasons for hospitalization, it is less common for them to perceive it as punishment.

Children at this age often lack the cognitive capacity to associate their illness with punishment.

Choice D reason:

Develops body image disturbance - Body image disturbance is not a typical behavior observed in toddlers during hospitalization. This issue is more common in older children or adolescents who may experience changes in their appearance due to medical conditions or treatments.

Choice A reason: The nurse should plan to ask the client to empty their bladder before performing Leopold maneuvers. The rationale behind this is to ensure that the client's bladder is empty to allow for better palpation of the uterus and fetal position. A full bladder can interfere with accurate assessment and may lead to incorrect findings during the examination.

Choice B reason:

The nurse should assist the client into a left-lateral position. This position is ideal for performing Leopold maneuvers because it helps to displace the uterus away from the vena cava, reducing the risk of supine hypotension syndrome. Moreover, the left-lateral position promotes optimal blood flow to the placenta, which is essential for the well-being of the fetus during the examination.

Choice C reason:

The nurse should apply an external fetal monitor to the client's abdomen after completing the Leopold maneuvers. The purpose of Leopold maneuvers is to determine the fetal position and presentation manually. Once this information is obtained, applying the external fetal monitor allows continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions to assess the baby's well-being and the progression of labor.

Choice D reason:

The nurse should not instruct the client to perform nipple stimulation when planning to assist with Leopold maneuvers. Nipple stimulation is a method to induce or augment labor, and it is not related to the process of assessing fetal position and presentation using Leopold maneuvers. It may lead to unnecessary contractions and confusion during the examination.